U.S. patent application number 15/382063 was filed with the patent office on 2017-06-22 for toy knitting device.
The applicant listed for this patent is CRAYOLA, LLC. Invention is credited to JAMES ALLEN, ROSELD V. LAGUATAN.
Application Number | 20170173490 15/382063 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 59064714 |
Filed Date | 2017-06-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170173490 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
ALLEN; JAMES ; et
al. |
June 22, 2017 |
TOY KNITTING DEVICE
Abstract
Embodiments of the invention are directed to a toy knitting
device and a knitting kit including the toy knitting device and a
breakaway clasp. The knitting device comprises a knitting body
having an interior chamber in which a needle holder is rotatably
coupled to the knitting device. The needle holder comprises a
plurality of needles configured to move up and down the side of the
needle holder as the needle holder rotates to grasp a knitting
strand being fed into the interior chamber of the knitting body.
The needle holder rotates by a plurality of engaged gears coupled
to either an automated motor for automated rotation or a hand knob
or crank for manual rotation. The needle holder comprises a center
aperture through which the knitted product that is configured to
receive an embellishment to be embedded within a hollow interior of
the knitted product is inserted.
Inventors: |
ALLEN; JAMES; (NAZARETH,
PA) ; LAGUATAN; ROSELD V.; (BATH, PA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
CRAYOLA, LLC |
Easton |
PA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
59064714 |
Appl. No.: |
15/382063 |
Filed: |
December 16, 2016 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62268716 |
Dec 17, 2015 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
D04B 5/00 20130101; Y10T
24/45775 20150115; A44C 5/185 20130101; D04B 9/44 20130101; Y10T
24/45178 20150115; A44C 5/2076 20130101; D10B 2403/024 20130101;
A44C 5/0069 20130101; A44C 5/0053 20130101; A63H 33/3088 20130101;
D04B 3/02 20130101; D04B 1/225 20130101; A44D 2200/12 20130101;
A44B 11/25 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A63H 33/30 20060101
A63H033/30; A44C 5/20 20060101 A44C005/20; D04B 3/02 20060101
D04B003/02; A44C 5/00 20060101 A44C005/00 |
Claims
1. A knitting device, comprising: a knitting body having an
interior chamber, a material-insertion end, and a material-exit
end, the knitting body comprising: (1) a needle holder rotatably
mounted in association with the interior chamber of the knitting
body, the needle holder having a center aperture; and (2) a
plurality of needles slidably coupled to the needle holder, wherein
the plurality of needles are coaxially aligned with the interior
chamber of the knitting body and the center aperture; a knitting
base coupled to the knitting body, said base comprising an arm
coupling the knitting body to the knitting base; a knitting-body
cover coupled to at least a portion of the knitting body at the
material-insertion end of the knitting body; a plurality of engaged
gears between at least one rotation-initiation point and the needle
holder, wherein rotation of the plurality of engaged gears rotates
the needle holder around the center aperture; and a ring cam having
a contoured edge abutting the plurality of needles, wherein, as the
needle holder rotates, the plurality of needles is configured to
move along the contoured edge of the ring cam, causing the
plurality of needles to move along a vertical axis and grasp a
knitting thread being fed into the knitting body to create a
knitted product that is discharged through the center aperture of
the needle holder and out of the interior chamber of the knitting
body at the material-exit end of the knitting body.
2. The knitting device of claim 1, wherein the at least one
rotation-initiation point comprises an automated motor that causes
an automated rotation of the needle holder.
3. The knitting device of claim 2, wherein the at least one
rotation-initiation point further comprises a hand knob allowing
knitting of the knitting thread at a user-determined rate, wherein
rotation of the hand knob ceases the automated rotation of the
needle holder.
4. The knitting device of claim 2, wherein a first surface of the
knitting body at the material-insertion end of the knitting body
comprises a first coupling feature configured to mate to a second
coupling feature on the knitting-body cover, wherein the first
coupling feature comprises at least one groove and the second
coupling feature comprises at least one projection, wherein the at
least one groove is configured to accept the at least one
projection on the knitting-body cover when the knitting-body cover
is in a closed position with respect to the knitting body, wherein
the knitting-body cover is fully coupled to the knitting body in
the closed position.
5. The knitting device of claim 4, wherein the at least one groove
on the first surface comprises a sensor configured to permit the
automated rotation of the needle holder when the knitting-body
cover is in a closed position with respect to the knitting body and
to discontinue rotation of the needle holder when the knitting-body
cover is in an open position with respect to the knitting body.
6. The knitting device of claim 1, wherein the center aperture of
the needle holder has a diameter between 0.25 inches and 0.5
inches.
7. The knitting device of claim 6, wherein the knitting-body cover
comprises a cover opening having an annular-shaped portion
continuing into a straight portion.
8. The knitting device of claim 7, wherein the annular-shaped
portion of the cover opening is vertically aligned with the center
aperture of the needle holder when the knitting-body cover is in a
closed position with respect to the knitting body.
9. The knitting device of claim 1, wherein the arm comprises a
curved shape that is convex with respect to the knitting body.
10. The knitting device of claim 1, wherein each needle of the
plurality of needles comprises a rounded-edge hook and a
rounded-edge latch.
11. The knitting device of claim 1, wherein the knitting base
comprises a positioning guide to position the knitting thread with
respect to the knitting body such that the knitting thread may be
fed into the knitting body.
12. An automated knitting device comprising: a knitting body having
an interior chamber, the knitting body comprising: a needle holder
rotatably mounted in the interior chamber of the knitting body, the
needle holder having a center aperture; and a plurality of needles
slidably coupled to the needle holder, wherein the plurality of
needles are coaxially aligned with the interior chamber of the
knitting body; a knitting base having a positioning guide and an
arm coupling the knitting body to the knitting base; a ring cam
having a contoured edge abutting the plurality of needles; and an
automated rotational system configured to rotate the needle holder,
the automated rotational system comprising an automated motor, a
plurality of engaged gears between the automated motor and the
needle holder, and a rotation-initiation mechanism on the arm of
the knitting device to turn on the automated motor, wherein
rotation of the needle holder moves the plurality of needles along
the contoured edge of the ring cam, causing the plurality of
needles to move along a vertical axis and grasp yarn being fed into
the knitting body to create a knitted product that is discharged
through the center aperture of the needle holder and out of the
interior chamber of the knitting body at a material-exit end of the
knitting body.
13. The automated knitting device of claim 12, further comprising a
rotational hand knob for knitting the yarn at a user-determined
rate, wherein rotation of the hand knob ceases the automated motor
in the automated rotational system.
14. The automated knitting device of claim 12, wherein the arm is a
curved shape configured to create a first distance between the
rotation-initiation button on the arm and a knitted-product stream
discharged from the interior chamber of the knitting body at the
material-exit end and a second distance between the positioning
guide on the knitting base and a first surface of the arm that
generally faces away from the knitting body.
15. The automated knitting device of claim 12, wherein the knitting
body further comprises a contoured edge surrounding the interior
chamber at the material-insertion end of the knitting body.
16. A knitting kit, comprising: a knitting device comprising: a
knitting body having an interior chamber, a material-insertion end,
and a material-exit end, the knitting body comprising: (1) a needle
holder rotatably mounted in the interior chamber of the knitting
body, the needle holder having a center aperture; (2) a plurality
of needles slidably coupled to the needle holder, wherein the
plurality of needles are coaxially aligned with the interior
chamber of the knitting body; and (3) a contoured edge surrounding
the interior chamber at the material-insertion end of the knitting
body, wherein the plurality of needles are configured to generate a
knitted product in response to repeated rotation of the plurality
of needles upon coupling of the plurality of needles to at least
one knitting strand, wherein the knitted product comprises a
diameter corresponding to the center aperture and a hollow interior
configured to cover at least one embellishment inserted into the
hollow interior; a knitting base having an arm coupling the
knitting body to the knitting base; a knitting-body cover coupled
to the knitting body at the material-insertion end of the knitting
body, said knitting-body cover configured to permit travel of the
at least one knitting strand through the interior chamber of the
knitting body; a plurality of engaged gears between at least one
rotation-initiation point and the needle holder, wherein rotation
of the plurality of engaged gears rotates the needle holder; and a
ring cam having a contoured edge abutting the plurality of needles,
wherein as the needle holder rotates, the plurality of needles move
along the contoured edge of the ring cam, causing the plurality of
needles to move along a vertical axis and grasp the at least one
knitting strand being fed into the knitting body to create the
knitted product that is discharged through the center aperture of
the needle holder and out of the interior chamber of the knitting
body at the material-exit end of the knitting body.
17. The knitting kit of claim 16, wherein the knitting device
comprises a sensing mechanism configured to permit the automated
rotation of the needle holder when the knitting-body cover is in a
closed position with respect to the knitting body and to
discontinue rotation of the needle holder when the knitting-body
cover is in an open position with respect to the knitting body.
18. The knitting kit of claim 16, wherein the at least one
embellishment is configured to be embedded within the hollow
interior of the knitted product such that the embellishment is
restricted from exiting the interior chamber via a transverse
direction with respect to a length of knitted product.
19. The knitting kit of claim 16, wherein the center aperture of
the needle holder comprises a first diameter configured to accept
the at least one embellishment to be embedded within the knitted
product, and further wherein an aperture of the knitting-body cover
is configured to permit travel of the at least one embellishment
when in a closed position.
20. The knitting kit of claim 16, wherein the at least one
rotation-initiation point of the knitting device is an automated
motor that causes automated rotation of the needle holder.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional
Application No. 62/268,716, entitled "TOY KNITTING DEVICE," filed
on Dec. 17, 2015, which is incorporated by reference in its
entirety.
SUMMARY
[0002] Embodiments of the invention are defined by the claims
below, not this summary. A high-level overview of various aspects
of the invention provides an overview of the disclosure and
introduces a selection of concepts that are further described in
the detailed description section below. This summary is not
intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed
subject matter or to be used as an aid in isolation to determine
the scope of the claimed subject matter.
[0003] In brief and at a high level, this disclosure describes,
among other things, a toy knitting device designed to create a
tubular knitted product. In one aspect, the knitting device
comprises a knitting body and a knitting base with an arm
connecting the base to the knitting body. The knitting body may
include an interior chamber and a needle holder rotatably mounted
within the interior chamber. The needle holder may have a center
aperture and a plurality of needles slidably coupled to the needle
holder. As the needle holder rotates around the center aperture,
the needles may alternate moving vertically along the side of the
needle holder to grasp a knitting strand that has been fed into the
interior chamber of the knitting body. As the needles rotate, they
knit a knitted product from the knitting strand, and the knitted
product passes through the center aperture and is discharged from
the interior chamber of the knitting body. The rotation of the
needle holder may be created by a plurality of engaged gears
coupled to either a hand knob or crank for manual rotation or to an
automated motor for automated rotation. The knitting device may
also include a knitting-body cover configured to protect the
plurality of needles on the needle holder while permitting travel
of the knitting strand into the interior chamber of the knitting
body.
[0004] The knitting device may also be configured to incorporate
embellishments or other objects within the knitted product.
Accordingly, the center aperture of the needle holder may be
configured to receive the embellishment or other object while the
needles knit the knitted product around the embellishment or other
object. Additionally, the knitting-body cover may have an opening
corresponding to the center aperture that permits travel of the
embellishment or other object into the interior chamber while the
knitting-body cover is closed.
[0005] In some embodiments, the knitting device may be a part of a
knitting kit that also comprises a breakaway clasp. The breakaway
clasp may be configured to couple both ends of the knitted product
created by the knitting device to create a finished product, such
as a bracelet or a necklace. The breakaway clasp may comprise of
two identical clasp components that are configured to releasably
couple to each other.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] Illustrative embodiments of the invention are described in
detail below with reference to the attached drawing figures, and
wherein:
[0007] FIG. 1 is a right, front perspective view of a knitting
device, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;
[0008] FIG. 2 is a side view of the knitting device of FIG. 1, in
accordance with an embodiment of the invention;
[0009] FIG. 3 is a bottom, front perspective view of the knitting
device of FIG. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the
invention;
[0010] FIG. 4 is an expanded, perspective view of the top of the
knitting device of FIG. 1 with a knitting-body cover in an open
position, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;
[0011] FIG. 5 is a side view of the knitting device of FIG. 1 with
an embellishment inserted into the knitting device, in accordance
with an embodiment of the invention;
[0012] FIG. 6 is a side view of the knitting device of FIG. 1, with
a portion cut away to show an embellishment traveling through the
knitting device, in accordance with an embodiment of the
invention;
[0013] FIG. 7 is an expanded, side view of a knitting needle of the
knitting device taken at reference circle 7 in FIG. 6, in
accordance with an embodiment of the invention;
[0014] FIG. 8 is an expanded, perspective view of the knitting
needle of FIG. 7, in accordance with an embodiment of the
invention;
[0015] FIG. 9 is a side view of a knitted product created with the
knitting device with a pencil in the hollow interior of the knitted
product, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;
[0016] FIG. 10 is a side view of a knitted product with an
embellishment in the hollow interior of the knitted product, in
accordance with an embodiment of the invention;
[0017] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a knitted product with a
breakaway clasp, in accordance with an embodiment of the
invention;
[0018] FIG. 12 is an expanded side view of a clasp component of the
breakaway clasp of FIG. 11, in accordance with an embodiment of the
invention;
[0019] FIG. 13 is an expanded perspective view of the clasp
component of FIG. 12, in accordance with an embodiment of the
invention;
[0020] FIG. 14 is a front view of the clasp component of FIG. 12,
in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;
[0021] FIG. 15 is an expanded, perspective view of the breakaway
clasp of FIG. 11, in accordance with an embodiment of the
invention;
[0022] FIG. 16 is an expanded, side view of the breakaway clasp of
FIG. 11, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; and
[0023] FIG. 17. is an expanded, rear view of the breakaway clasp of
FIG. 11, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0024] The subject matter of embodiments of the invention is
described with specificity herein to meet statutory requirements.
But the description itself is not intended to necessarily limit the
scope of the claims. Rather, the claimed subject matter might be
embodied in other ways to include different steps or combinations
of steps similar to the ones described in this document, in
conjunction with other present or future technologies. Terms should
not be interpreted as implying any particular order among or
between various disclosed steps unless and except when the order of
individual steps is explicitly described.
[0025] Embodiments of the invention include, among other things, a
knitting device for making a knitted product, the knitting device
comprising: a knitting body having an interior chamber, a
material-insertion end, and a material-exit end; a knitting base
coupled to the knitting body, said base comprising an arm coupling
the knitting body to the knitting base; a knitting-body cover
coupled to at least a portion of the knitting body at the
material-insertion end of the knitting body; a plurality of engaged
gears; and a ring cam. The knitting body may comprise: a needle
holder rotatably mounted in association with the interior chamber
of the knitting body, the needle holder having a center aperture; a
plurality of needles slidably coupled to the needle holder, wherein
the plurality of needles are coaxially aligned with the interior
chamber of the knitting body and the center aperture; and a
contoured edge surrounding the interior chamber at the
material-insertion end of the knitting body. The plurality of
engaged gears may extend between the needle holder and at least one
rotation-initiation point, wherein rotation of the plurality of
engaged gears may rotate the needle holder around the center
aperture. The ring cam may have a contoured edge abutting the
plurality of needles on the needle holder. As the needle holder
rotates, the plurality of needles may move along the contoured edge
of the ring cam, causing the plurality of needles to move along a
vertical axis and grasp a knitting strand being fed into the
knitting body to create a knitted product that is discharged
through the center aperture of the needle holder and out of the
interior chamber of the knitting body at the material-exit end of
the knitting body.
[0026] Embodiments of the invention also include an automated
knitting device comprising: a knitting body having a hollow
interior; a knitting base having a positioning guide and an arm
coupling the knitting body to the knitting base; a ring cam; and an
automated rotational system. The knitting body may include: a
needle holder rotatably mounted in the interior chamber of the
knitting body, the needle holder having a center aperture; and a
plurality of needles slidably coupled to the needle holder, wherein
the plurality of needles are coaxially aligned with the interior
chamber of the knitting body. The ring cam may have a contoured
edge abutting the plurality of needles configured to rotate the
needle holder. The automated rotational system may be configured to
rotate the needle holder and may comprise an automated motor, a
plurality of engaged gears between the automated motor and the
needle holder, and a rotation-initiation button on the arm of the
knitting device to turn on the automated motor. Rotation of the
needle holder may move the plurality of needles along the contoured
edge of the ring cam, causing the plurality of needles to move
along a vertical axis and grasp a knitting strand being fed into
the knitting body to create a knitted product that is discharged
through the center aperture of the needle holder and out of the
interior chamber of the knitting body at a material-exit end of the
knitting body.
[0027] Another embodiment comprises a knitting kit comprising a
knitting device and a breakaway clasp for coupling a first end of a
knitted product to a second end of the knitted product. The
knitting device of the knitting kit may include a knitting body
having an interior chamber, a material-insertion end, and a
material-exit end. The knitting body may further include: a needle
holder rotatably mounted in the interior chamber of the knitting
body, the needle holder having a center aperture; a plurality of
needles slidably coupled to the needle holder, wherein the
plurality of needles are coaxially aligned with the interior
chamber of the knitting body; and a contoured edge surrounding the
interior chamber at the material-insertion end of the knitting
body. The plurality of needles may be configured to knit a knitted
product in response to repeated rotation of the plurality of
needles upon coupling of the plurality of needles to at least one
knitting strand, wherein the knitted product comprises a diameter
corresponding to the center aperture and a hollow interior
configured to cover at least one embellishment inserted into the
hollow interior.
[0028] The knitting device of the knitting kit may also include a
knitting base having an arm coupling the knitting body to the
knitting base and a knitting-body cover coupled to the knitting
body at the material-insertion end of the knitting body. The
knitting-body cover may be configured to permit travel of the at
least one knitting strand through the interior chamber of the
knitting body.
[0029] With reference now to the figures, an apparatus for a
knitting device and a knitting kit are described in accordance with
embodiments of the invention. Various embodiments are described
with respect to the figures in which like elements are depicted
with like reference numerals.
[0030] As depicted in FIGS. 1-3, embodiments of the invention
include a knitting device 10 that comprises a knitting body 12 and
a knitting base 16 that has an arm 18 connecting the knitting body
12 to the rest of the knitting base 16. FIGS. 1-3 provide a right,
front perspective view, a side view, and a bottom, front
perspective view of an embodiment of the knitting device 10,
respectively. In an embodiment, the knitting body 12 may comprise a
cylindrical shape having a hollow interior chamber 46 (not shown in
FIGS. 1-2), but other embodiments may comprise other shapes of the
knitting body 12. The knitting body 12 may also have a
material-insertion end 24 and a material-exit end 26.
[0031] The knitting device 10 may be configured to produce a
knitted product from material inserted into the knitting body 12 at
the material-insertion end 24. For example, a knitting strand 30
inserted into the knitting body 12 at the material-insertion end 24
may be mechanically knitted by the knitting device 10 prior to
exiting at the material-exit end 26. As will be described in
greater detail below, the knitting device 10 knits one or more
knitting strands 30 into a knitted product 28 with a plurality of
needles (shown in FIG. 4), and the knitted product 28 is discharged
from interior chamber 46 of the knitting body 12 at the
material-exit end 26, according to some embodiments of the
invention. The discharged product creates a stream of knitted
product 28 while exiting the knitting body 12.
[0032] Various types of material may be used in the knitting device
10, including polyester, nylon, wool, cotton, and the like. In an
exemplary embodiment, the material is in a thread or yarn form. A
knitting strand 30 of the thread or yarn may be fed into the
knitting body by hand, or may be guided from the knitting base 16
to the material-insertion end 24 of the knitting body 12. The
knitting strand 30 may be secured to the knitting base 16 by a
plurality of spool holders 22 on the knitting base 16. In one
embodiment, there may be four spool holders 22 on the knitting base
16. The knitting strand 30 from any spool holder 22 may run through
a positioning guide 20 on the knitting base 16 and up through a
thread guide 32 on the arm 18 up towards the material-insertion end
24 of the knitting body 12. Multiple knitting strands 30 from
different spool holders 22 may simultaneously be guided to the
knitting body 12
[0033] In some embodiments, the knitting device 10 is automated so
that an automated motor (not shown) is used to rotate the plurality
of needles to knit the knitting strand 30. The automated motor may
be turned on with an automated rotation-initiation mechanism 34
that is at least partially on an external location of the knitting
device 10. The automated rotation-initiation mechanism 34 may
comprise a button, a switch, or the like that initiated the
automated motor when engaged.
[0034] The knitting device 10 may also work by manual rotation of
the plurality of needles. A rotational hand knob 36 may be used to
manually rotate the plurality of needles. In some aspects, the
rotational hand knob 36 may comprise a hand crank. Manual rotation
by the rotational hand knob 36 may allow knitting of the knitting
strand at a user-determined rate rather than at a pre-determined
automated rate. In some embodiments, the knitting device 10 may
work with both an automated motor for automated rotation and a
rotational hand knob 36 for manual rotation. For example, in one
aspect, rotation of the rotational hand knob 36 may cease or
override the automated motor in the automated rotational
system.
[0035] The arm 18 of the knitting device 10 may be curved so that
the arm 18 forms a convex shape with respect to the knitting body
12. In some embodiments, the curve of the arm 18 may create optimal
placement of the knitting strand 30 and the stream of knitted
product 28 with respect to arm 18 for purposes of safe access to
the arm 18. For instance, the automated rotation-initiation
mechanism 34 may be located on a first surface 42 of the arm 18
generally facing the stream of knitted product 28, but the curve of
the arm 18 would set back the rotation-initiation mechanism 34 to
provide access to the rotation-initiation mechanism 34 while
avoiding contact with the stream of knitted product 28.
Accordingly, the curve of the arm 18 creates a distance 38 between
the rotation-initiation mechanism 34 and the stream of knitted
product 28 that is sufficient to allow a user to access the
rotation-initiation mechanism 34 while avoiding the stream of
knitted product 28. Similarly, when the knitting strand 30 runs
from the positioning guide 20 on the knitting base 16 to the thread
guide 32 on the arm 18, the knitting strand 30 may form a
triangular-like shape with the arm 18 and the knitting base 16.
Again, the curve of the arm 18 may maintain a distance 40 between
the knitting strand 30 and a second surface 44 of the arm 18
generally facing away from the stream of knitted product 28 that is
sufficient for a user to grab the arm 18 while safely avoiding
contact with the knitting strand 30 extending from the positioning
guide 20 and the thread guide 32.
[0036] The curve of the arm 18 may also provide optimal weight
distribution during the knitting process, according to some
embodiments of the invention. As the knitting device 10 may create
long strands of the knitted product 28, the user may wish to place
the knitting device 10 at the edge of a flat work surface 45 while
knitting. By using the knitting device 10, the knitting body 12 may
be positioned over the edge of the work surface 45 so that the
stream of knitted product 28 discharged from the knitting body 12
may fall past the work surface 45 and remain in a straight
configuration during knitting, rather than being coiled on the work
surface 45. As shown in FIGS. 1-3, the knitting base 16 may include
two legs 47 that extend from the knitting base 16 and, at least
partially, extend past the edge of the work surface 45, with
sufficient space between the legs 47 through which the stream of
the knitted product 28 may pass. Additionally, in some embodiments,
a weighted object 49 may be attached to the end of the knitted
product 28 as it is being discharged from the knitting body 12. The
additional weight from the weighted object 49 creates tension on
the knitted product 28 to ensure the knitted product 28, which may
generally be lightweight, is being discharged at a rate sufficient
to accommodate the rate of knitting. In alternative embodiments,
the knitted product 28 may be gently pulled by the user to maintain
a sufficient discharge rate instead of using the weighted object
49.
[0037] Without the curve of the arm 18, the weight of the knitting
body 12, the stream of knitted product 28, and the weighted object
49 over the edge of the work surface could create an unbalanced
weight distribution such that the knitting device 10 would have a
tendency to fall off the work surface 45. However, the curve of the
arm 18 may help to counter balance the weight of the knitting
device 10 that is over the edge of the work surface 45 to keep the
knitting device 10 stable.
[0038] Turning to FIG. 4, an expanded, perspective view of the top
of the knitting device 10 in accordance with an embodiment is
provided. Within the interior chamber 46 of the knitting body 12,
there may be a needle holder 48 with a center aperture 52. The
needle holder 48 may be rotatably mounted to the knitting body 12
so that it may rotate within the interior chamber 46. In an
embodiment, a plurality of needles 50 may be coupled to the needle
holder 48 so that the needles 50 are evenly spaced and coaxially
aligned with the interior chamber 46 of the knitting body 12. The
needles 50 may be slidably coupled to the needle holder 48. When
the needles are slidably coupled to the needle holder 48, they may
be able to individually slide or move vertically with respect to
the needle holder 48. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4,
there are four needles 50 around the needle holder 48, but some
embodiments may have more or less needles 50.
[0039] The knitting strand 30 may be fed into the interior chamber
46 of the knitting body 12 by a thread feeder 54. In the embodiment
shown, the thread feeder 54 is a U-shaped indention on a raised
edge 56 of the knitting body 12 at the material-insertion end 24.
The thread feeder 54 may be positioned on the knitting body 12 to
generally align with the thread guide 32 on the arm 18. As
illustrated in FIG. 2, there may also be a thread extender 58
extending from a thread-facing surface on the knitting body 12 near
a knitting-body cover 14. The thread extender 58 keeps the knitting
strand 30 away from the knitting body 12 as it runs through the
thread feeder 54 and into the interior chamber 46 of the knitting
body 12. Maintaining the knitting strand 30 at a distance from the
knitting body 12 creates an angle of insertion of the knitting
strand 30 into the interior chamber 46 that allows for smoother
movement of the knitting strand 30 into the interior chamber 46
with less tension.
[0040] Turning back to FIG. 4, once the knitting strand 30 is fed
into the interior chamber 46, the needle holder 48 may be rotated,
via automated or manual rotation, so that the needles 50 may
alternate in grabbing the knitting strand 30 to form a knitted
structure 60. In some embodiments, starting the knitted structure
60 may occur by having every other needle 50 grab the knitting
strand 30 until every other needle 50 catches the knitting strand
30 and then having every needle 50 alternate in grabbing the
knitting strand 30. As the needles 50 continue to knit the knitted
structure 60, the knitted product 28 will be formed. In some
embodiments, initializing the knitted structure 60 may be better
suited with manual rotation of the needle holder 48 while automated
rotation may be forming the majority of the knitted product 28.
Accordingly, when beginning the knitted structure 60, a user may
manually rotate the needle holder 48 while manually advancing the
knitting strand 30 into engagement with each needle in the circular
path. Once the knitting strand 30 is engaged with each needle a
minimum number of times, the user may discontinue manual rotation
of the device and continue knitting the knitted product 28 using
the automated rotation method. As the knitted product 28 forms, the
knitted product 28 may move through the center aperture 52 of the
needle holder, which opens up into the interior chamber 46 of the
knitting body 12.
[0041] Though not shown, it is contemplated that the rotation of
the needle holder 48 may operate through a plurality of gears. A
plurality of engaged gears may extend between the needle holder 48
and a rotation-initiation point. The rotation-initiation point may
be the automated motor with an external initiation mechanism, such
as the automated rotation-initiation mechanism 34, or may be a
manual rotation mechanism, such as the rotational hand knob 36. In
some aspects, there may be two separate sets of gears: one for
automated rotation and one for manual rotation. In other aspects,
automated rotation and manual rotation may be provided for by at
least part of the same gears.
[0042] Rotation of the plurality of engaged gears in turn rotates
the needle holder 48 around the center aperture 52. As the needle
holder 48 rotates, the plurality of needles 50 will alternate
sliding up and down on the surface of the needle holder 48. While
not shown, various mechanisms, such as a cam system, may be used to
move the needles 50 up and down. For example, a ring cam having a
contoured edge may abut at least a portion of the plurality of
needles. As the needle holder 48 rotates, the plurality of needles
may move along the contoured edge of the ring cam. When a needle
moves along an ascending portion of the contoured edge, the needle
will be driven upwards, and when the needle moves along a
descending portion of the contoured edge, the needle will move back
down.
[0043] Continuing with FIG. 4, a knitting-body cover 14 may be
provided to at least partially cover the opening to the interior
chamber 46 of the knitting body 12 and restrict access to the
plurality of needles 50. The knitting-body cover 14 may be coupled
to the knitting body 12 via a hinge or other mechanism to permit
partial uncoupling of the knitting-body cover 14. In FIG. 4, the
knitting-body cover 14 is shown in an open position, allowing
access to the interior chamber 46 and the plurality of needles 50.
A first surface 62 of the knitting body 12 at the
material-insertion end 24 may include ribs that generally
correspond to the shape of an engaging edge 65 of the knitting-body
cover 14 that will contact with the first surface 62 when closed.
The engaging edge 65 may also include at least one projection 66
that aligns with at least one groove 68 in the first surface 62 of
the knitting body 12 when the knitting-body cover 14 is closed. In
the embodiment depicted, there are three projections 66 and three
grooves 68. When the knitting-body cover 14 is closed, the
projections 66 may engage with the grooves 68 to keep the
knitting-body cover 14 in the closed position.
[0044] In one aspect, at least one of the grooves 68 may include a
sensor 70. The sensor 70 may work as a safety feature to prevent
access to the plurality of needles during rotation. When the
knitting-body cover 14 is closed, a projection 66 is engaged with a
groove 68 having a sensor 70, and rotation of the needle holder 48
is permitted. When the knitting-body cover 14 is open, the sensor
70 does not sense a projection 66 engaged in the groove 68, and
rotation of the needle holder 48 cannot be initiated. This safety
feature may help keep users from being injured by the rotating
needles 50. In one embodiment, the sensor 70 may be any sensor
configured to detect the closure of the knitting-body cover 14,
such as a capacitive touch sensor or a mechanically depressed
sensor. Additionally, while described with respect to a projection
feature and groove, additional embodiments of the invention include
recessed, embossed, or flush-mounted sensors and triggering objects
that generate a corresponding indication of closure for permitting
automated rotation. As such, a sensor mechanism may be coupled to
one or both of the knitting-body cover 14 and the knitting body 12,
providing an indication of an open state or a closed state of the
device.
[0045] Accordingly, the sensor 70, may work to prevent the
automated motor to turn off when the knitting-body cover 14 is open
but does not prevent manual rotation of the needle holder 48 when
the knitting-body cover 14 is open. However, because manual
rotation will likely occur at a slower rate than the automated
knitting rate, the risk of injury caused by manual rotation when
the knitting-body cover 16 being open is not as great.
Additionally, user manipulation of the knitting strand 30 during
manual rotation may be useful when starting the knitted structure
60. As such, the sensor 70, in accordance with an aspect, prevents
automated rotation but not manual rotation when the knitting-body
cover 14 is open. In other words, a user may manually manipulate
the knitting strand 30 into engagement with one or more of the
needles, prior to closing the knitting-body cover 14 and beginning
the automated knitting process once the knitting-body cover 14 is
closed.
[0046] In some embodiments, a top surface of the knitting-body
cover 14 may include a cover opening 72 through which the knitting
strand 30 may run to reach the interior chamber 46 of the knitting
body 12. The cover opening 72 may include an annular portion 74 and
a straight portion 76. The annular portion 74 may correspond in
shape and size to the center aperture 52 of the needle holder 48.
When the knitting-body cover 14 is closed over the knitting body
12, the annular portion 74 may vertically align with the center
aperture 52 such that an object inserted through the annular
portion 74 of the cover opening 72 may easily be inserted into the
center aperture 52.
[0047] The straight portion 76 of the cover opening 72 may extend
from the annular portion 74 towards the back side of the
knitting-body cover 14 and, though not shown in FIG. 4, may
continue down the back surface of the knitting-body cover 14. The
end of the straight portion 76 opposite of the annular portion 74
may align with the thread feeder 54 on the knitting body 12.
Accordingly, a knitting strand 30 may be fed into the interior
chamber 46 of the knitting body 12 through the straight portion 76
of the cover opening 72 while the knitting-body cover 14 remains
coupled to the knitting body 12. Further, the straight portion 76
and the annular portion 74 of the cover opening 72 may permit a
user to manipulate the placement of the knitting strand 30 on the
plurality of needles 50 while the knitting-body cover 14 is closed
by pulling up on the knitting strand 30 and sliding the knitting
strand 30 down the straight portion 76 to the annular portion
74.
[0048] The annular portion 74 of the cover opening 72 may also be
used to incorporate embellishments or other objects into the
knitted product 28. The knitted product 28 may be a circular-knit,
cord-like structure, such as an i-Cord, with a hollow interior. In
one aspect, an embellishment may be incorporated into the hollow
interior of the knitted product 28 while the knitted product 28 is
being formed. The knitting strand 30 used to make the knitted
product 28 may be knitted around the surface of the inserted
embellishment. As shown in FIGS. 5-6, various embellishments and
other items, such as a pencil, may be embedded within the hollow
interior of the knitted product 28 while the knitted product 28 is
being formed. In some aspects, an embellishment having dimensions
that fit within the diameter of interior chamber 46 of the knitting
body 12 may be incorporated into a knitted product 28 based on
inserting the embellishment into the upper end of the knitting
body, and retrieving the knit-covered embellishment as part of the
finished knitted product 28. The embellishment may be a solid item,
a hollow item, a pliable item, or any other structure that is
separate from the knitting strand 30 but incorporated inside of the
knitted stitches. For example, an integrated embellishment may
include a mesh chamber having a hollow interior, like a cylindrical
shaft of mesh tubing, for knitting a surrounding structure and
providing a knit-covered cylindrical structure. Similarly, a pencil
having a generally cylindrical shape but a solid structure may have
a knitted structure constructed around it, as described below.
[0049] As shown in FIG. 5, in one aspect, a pencil 78 is being
inserted into the knitting body 12 from the material-insertion end
24. Specifically, the pencil 78 may be inserted through the annular
portion 74 of the cover opening 72 and straight down through the
center aperture 52 of the needle holder 48 and into the interior
chamber 46 of the knitting body 12. In FIG. 5, the dashed lines on
the pencil 78 represent the portion of the pencil 78 that has been
inserted into the interior chamber 46. Further, as shown in FIG. 5,
the pencil 78 may be inserted into the knitting body 12 while the
knitted product 28 is being discharged from the knitting body
12.
[0050] By inserting the pencil 78 through the center aperture 52
and into the interior chamber 46 of the knitting body 12, the
pencil 78 may be embedded within the knitted product 28, as shown
in FIG. 6. Specifically, as the pencil 78 is inserted through the
center aperture 52, the pencil 78 is inserted into the hollow
interior of the knitted product 28 that is being created by the
plurality of needles 50 around the pencil 78. As the pencil 78
continues to be embedded within the knitted product 28, it may be
discharged with the knitted product 28 out of the knitting body 12
at the material-exit end 26.
[0051] Because the pencil 78 must travel through the annular
portion 74 of cover opening 72 and the center aperture 52, the
annular portion 74 and the center aperture 52 may both have
diameters sufficient to accommodate the pencil 78. For instance, if
the diameter of the pencil 78 is about 0.25 inches, the diameters
of the annular portion 74 and the center aperture 52 may be at
least 0.25 inches. Additionally, because the pencil 78 is inserted
through the center aperture 52 with the knitted structure 60, the
diameter of the center aperture 52 may be sufficient to accommodate
the knitted structure 60 as well as the pencil 78. In some
embodiments, the center aperture 52 has a diameter between 0.25
inches and 0.5 inches. In other embodiments, the diameter of the
center aperture 52 may fall outside of this range based on the
diameter of various embellishments to be used with the knitting
device 10.
[0052] As can be seen in FIG. 6, the needle holder 48 may be
positioned in the interior chamber 46 of the knitting body 12 such
that the needles 50 are below the raised edge 56 of the knitting
body 12 surrounding the opening to the interior chamber 46. The
lowered position of the needles 50 with respect to the raised edge
56 of the knitting body 12 may help protect the needles 50 from the
outside environment and protect a user from accidently injuring
himself while the needles 50 are rotating. The low positioning may
also make it difficult for a user to manipulate the knitting strand
30 around the needles 50 when needed. Therefore, the raised edge 56
may be contoured such that at least a portion of the raised edge 56
is lower, allowing easier access to the needles 50.
[0053] Turning to FIGS. 7-8, expanded views of the needle 50 taken
at reference circle 7 in FIG. 6 are provided. The needle 50 may
include a hook 80, a latch 82, and a shaft 84. The hook 80 may form
one end of needle 50 and may be used to hook a loop formed by the
knitting strand 30 on the needle 50. Continuing from the hook 80
may be the shaft 84 of the needle on which the latch 82 is coupled.
The latch 82 may be configured to rotate partially around the point
at which it connects to the shaft 84. When the latch 82 pivots in
one direction, it may be raised towards the hook 80 to form a
closed loop with the hook 80, and the latch 82 may pivot in the
opposite direction to be lowered down away from the hook 80. Loops
in the knitting strand 30 are knitted together by the closing and
opening of the latch 82 with respect to the hook 80.
[0054] The hook 80 and the latch 82 may have pointed ends, such as
those on a traditional latched knitting needle. In another
embodiment, such as the one illustrated in FIG. 8, however, the
ends of the hook 80 and the latch 82 that meet together may be
curved. Specifically, the latch-facing surface 86 on the end of the
hook 80 and the hook-facing surface 88 on the latch 82 may be
curved. In one embodiment, the latch-facing surface 86 on the hook
80 is convex with respect to the latch 82 while the hook-facing
surface 88 on the latch 82 is concave with respect to the hook 80,
such that the curved latch-facing surface 86 of the hook 80 can
rest within the curved hook-facing surface 88 of the latch 82 when
the latch 82 and hook 80 meet. Further, the edges of the curved
portions of the hook 80 and latch 82 may be rounded. Utilizing
curved ends and rounded edges on the hook 80 and latch 82 may
decrease the risk of injury when using the knitting device 10.
[0055] FIGS. 9-11 provide various products that can be created with
use of the knitting device 10. As previously discussed, an
embodiment of the knitting device 10 may be configured to knit the
knitted product 28 around a pencil 78 inserted into the knitting
device 10. The knitted product 28 may include a first end 92, a
second end 94, and a hollow interior 90 between the first end 92
and the second end 94. The pencil 78 may be removed by sliding the
pencil 78 out of the hollow interior 90 of the knitted product 28
at either the first end 92 or the second end 94.
[0056] Similarly, an embellishment 96 may be embedded within the
hollow interior 90 of the knitted product 28, as shown in FIG. 10.
The embellishment 96 may comprise various objects such as a bead, a
marble, and the like. The embellishment 96 may be inserted into the
hollow interior 90 of the knitted product 28 in the same manner as
the pencil 78, discussed above. Accordingly, the annular portion 74
of the cover opening 72 and the center aperture 52 of needle holder
48 may be of sufficient diameters to accommodate the diameter of
the embellishment 96 with the knitting strand 30.
[0057] FIG. 10 shows only select portions of the knitted structure
of the knitted product 28 for purpose of clarity, but it is
contemplated that the knitted structure continues throughout the
entirety of the knitted product 28. The knitted structure of the
knitted product 28 comprises a plurality of openings 98 between the
strands enclosing the hollow interior 90. By inserting an
embellishment 96 into the hollow interior 90 of the knitted product
28, the embellishment 96 may cause the openings 98 to enlarge
compared to openings 98 that are not near the embellishment 96.
Yet, the embellishment 96 may be of sufficient size that it cannot
exit the hollow interior 90 of the knitted product 28 via a
transverse direction with respect to the length of the knitted
product 28. In other words, the embellishment 96 may not escape
through the openings 98 in the knitted product 28 and may be
removed from the hollow interior 90 only at the first end 92 or the
second end 94.
[0058] Continuing with FIG. 11, the knitted product 28 may also be
used with a breakaway clasp 100 to releasably couple together a
first end 92 and a second end 94 of the knitted product 28. The
breakaway clasp 100 may include a first clasp component 102 and a
second clasp component 104, and the first clasp component 102 and
the second clasp component 104 may be releasably coupled together
to form the breakaway clasp 100.
[0059] FIGS. 12-14 provide various views of the first clasp
component 102. In one embodiment, the first clasp component 102 may
be identical in shape and size to the second clasp component 104.
Accordingly, the discussion of the first clasp component 102 as
shown in FIGS. 12-14 may be also be applicable to the second clasp
component 104.
[0060] The first clasp component 102 may comprise an attachment
portion 106 configured to attach the first clasp component 102 to
an article, such as the knitting product 28, and a coupling portion
110 configured to couple the first clasp component 102 to another
clasp component, such as the second clasp component 104.
Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 11, the attachment portion 106 of the
first clasp component 102 may be attached or coupled to the first
end 92 of the knitted product while an attachment portion 108 of
the second clasp component 104 may be attached or coupled to the
second end 94 of the knitted product 28. Additionally, the coupling
portion 110 of the first clasp component 102 may be releasably
coupled to a coupling portion 112 of the second clasp component 104
to form a clasp, or a closure mechanism, for the knitted product
28. In this way, the breakaway clasp 100 may be used to couple ends
of the knitted product 28 together to form wearable jewelry, such
as a necklace, bracelet, and the like. It is also contemplated,
however, that the clasp may be used as a closure mechanism for
jewelry items other than the knitted product 28 and for articles
other than jewelry, such as garments, bags, purses, and the
like.
[0061] Turning back to FIGS. 12-14, in some embodiments, the
attachment portion 106 of the first clasp component 102 may
comprise a clasp opening 114. As illustrated, the clasp openings
114 may be circular, but it is contemplated that the clasp openings
114 may comprise various other shapes, such as ovals, triangles,
squares, and the like. Portions of an article that are to be
releasably coupled together using the breakaway clasp 100 may be
permanently or releasably secured to the attachment portion 106 via
the clasp opening 114. For example, the first end 92 of the knitted
product 28 may be looped through the clasp opening 114 and tied or
otherwise secured together to attach the knitted product 28 to the
first clasp component 102. It is contemplated that there may be
additional methods of coupling an article, such as the knitted
product 28, to the first clasp component 102. Additionally, as seen
in FIGS. 15-17, the second clasp component may have a clasp opening
115 similar in shape and/or size to the clasp opening 114 of the
first clasp component 102; however, in other aspects, the shape
and/or size of the clasp openings of mating clasp components, such
as the first clasp component 102 and the second clasp component
104, may be different.
[0062] The coupling portion 110 of the first clasp component 102
comprises a U-shape configuration with two hemisphere elements 116
connected by a connecting section 118. In some aspects, the two
hemisphere elements 116 may each comprise an inward-facing surface
126 and an outward-facing surface 128. The inward-facing surfaces
126 of the hemisphere elements 116 face inwards or towards each
other. In this way, the inward-facing surface 126 of a first
hemisphere element 116 may be proximate to the inward-facing
surface 126 of a second hemisphere element 116. As illustrated in
FIGS. 12-14, the hemisphere elements 116 may be convex such that
the inward-facing surfaces of the hemisphere elements 116 extend
towards each other. In some aspects, the apexes of the curvatures
of the inward-facing surfaces 126 of the hemisphere elements 116
are spaced apart by a threshold distance 130. In some aspects, the
threshold distance 130 is a minimal distance such that the two
hemisphere elements 116 are nearly touching when the first clasp
component 102 is not coupled to another clasp component. For
instance, the threshold distance 130 may be approximately two
millimeters. In other aspects, the threshold distance 130 may be in
a range of approximately one millimeter to three millimeters, and
in other aspects the threshold distance 130 may be outside that
range. In other aspects, the threshold distance 130 is zero such
that the two hemisphere elements 116 are touching when the first
clasp component 102 is not coupled to another clasp component.
[0063] In some aspects, the outward-facing surfaces 128 of the
hemisphere elements 116 are opposite of the inward-facing surfaces
128. The outward-facing surfaces 128 may be flat, substantially
flat, or have a lesser degree of curvature than the inward-facing
surfaces 126. In other aspects, outer-facing surfaces 128 have a
curvature substantially equal to the curvature of the inward-facing
surfaces 126. Accordingly, the two hemisphere elements 116 may
comprise a various shapes, including a hemisphere, sphere,
ellipsoid, and the like.
[0064] In addition to the two hemisphere elements 116, the coupling
portion 110 of the first clasp component 102 may include a
connecting section 118 that connects the two hemisphere elements
116 together. The connecting section 118 may include a first end
coupled to the one hemisphere element 116 and a second end coupled
to the other hemisphere element 116. The ends of the connecting
section 118 may be coupled to or attach to portions of the
hemisphere elements 116 that are transitions between the
inward-facing surfaces 126 and the outward-facing surfaces 128. In
some aspects, the connecting section 118 is curved or U-shaped. In
this way, the connecting section 118 may form a hinge between the
two hemisphere elements 116, and the hinge may open such that the
hemisphere elements 116 may be spaced apart a greater distance but
still able to return to their original positions. Additionally, the
connecting section 118 and at least a portion of each of the two
hemisphere elements 116 may define a receiving cavity 124 of the
first clasp component 102. The receiving cavity 124 may be
configured to receive at least part of the hemisphere elements on
another clasp element.
[0065] When coupled to an identical clasp component, the hemisphere
elements 116 of the first clasp component 102 may be frictionally
engaged with the other clasp component via the other clasp
component's receiving cavity. For example, FIGS. 15-17 illustrate
the first clasp component 102 releasably coupled with the second
clasp component 104. When coupled together, the second clasp
component 104 may be oriented 90 degrees relative to the
orientation of the first clasp component 102. The hemisphere
elements 116 of the first clasp component 102 at least partially
fill the receiving cavity of the second clasp component 104 while
two hemisphere elements 120 of the second clasp component 104 at
least partially fill the receiving cavity of first clasp element
102. In this manner, the hemisphere elements 116 of the first clasp
component 102 engage with the connecting section 122 and the
hemisphere elements 120 of the second clasp component, and the
hemisphere elements 120 of the second clasp component engage with
the connecting section 118 and the hemisphere elements 116 of the
first clasp component 102.
[0066] In order to couple the first clasp component 102 with the
second clasp component 104, some force may be applied so that the
hemisphere elements 116 of the first clasp component 102 are moved
away from one another and the hemisphere elements 120 of the second
clasp component 104 are moved away from one another to allow for
the hemisphere elements 116 and 120 to be fitted into their
respective receiving cavities. Accordingly, this may be done by
pushing together the hemisphere elements 116 of the first clasp
component and the hemisphere elements 120 of the second clasp
component. In some aspects, the hemisphere elements 116 and 120 may
snap into their respective receiving cavities with a small amount
of force. During this process, the distance between the
inward-facing surfaces 126 of the hemisphere elements 116 may
expand beyond the threshold distance 30, but the hemisphere
elements 116 may move back towards one another when fitted into the
receiving cavities. In some aspects, the inward-facing surfaces 126
of the hemisphere elements 116 maintain the threshold distance 30
when coupled to the second clasp component 104; however, in other
aspects, the inward-facing surfaces 126 of the hemisphere elements
116 are separated by a distance greater than the threshold distance
when coupled to the second clasp component 104. Because the second
clasp component 104 may be identical to the first clasp component
102, the hemisphere elements 120 of the second clasp component 104
may behave in a similar manner during the coupling process.
[0067] The curvature of the hemisphere elements 116 and 120 helps
to keep the first and second clasp components 102 and 104,
respectively, frictionally engaged with one another so that they do
not uncoupled too easily or inadvertently. However, the first and
second clasp components 102 and 104, respectively, may be
configured to uncouple upon application of some amount of force. In
one embodiment, a user may use a small amount of force to pull
apart and uncouple the first and second clasp components 102 and
104, respectively. Similar to the coupling process, the hemisphere
elements 116 and hemisphere elements 120 may move apart from one
another during the uncoupling process and then may move back
towards one another once uncoupled. Because the first and second
clasp components 102 and 104, respectively, may be uncoupled using
only a small amount of force, the breakaway clasp 100 may provide a
quick release closure that is suitable for children's jewelry.
Specifically, compared to traditional clasps, the breakaway clasp
100 may provide a level of ease of use that is more appropriate for
children. Additionally, the breakaway clasp 100 may be uncoupled
more easily and quickly than traditional clasps, which may decrease
the risk of an injury if an article, such as a necklace, becomes
two tight when worn.
[0068] The breakaway clasp 100 may be constructed from a variety of
materials. Exemplary materials include materials with some
flexibility to allow the first clasp component 102 and the second
clasp component 104 to couple and uncouple to one another using a
small amount of force but with sufficient rigidity that the two
clasp components 102 and 104 do not become uncoupled without a user
pulling them apart. Such materials may include a thermoplastic
polyurethane or a rubber material such as natural rubber, butadiene
rubber, ethylene propylene rubber, and the like.
[0069] In one embodiment of the invention, a knitting kit may
include a knitting device 10 and at least one breakaway clasp 100.
The knitting kit may also include at least one material for the
knitting strand 30 and/or at least one embellishment or object to
be embedded within the knitted product 28. Various other
accessories of the knitting device 10 or the knitted product 28
created by the knitting device 10 may be included in the kit.
[0070] Many different arrangements of the various components
depicted, as well as components not shown, are possible without
departing from the scope of the claims below. Embodiments of the
technology have been described with the intent to be illustrative
rather than restrictive. Alternative embodiments will become
apparent to readers of this disclosure after and because of reading
it. Alternative means of implementing the aforementioned can be
completed without departing from the scope of the claims below.
Certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be
employed without reference to other features and subcombinations
and are contemplated within the scope of the claims.
* * * * *